Russia, China veto Security Council resolution on protecting Strait of Hormuz shipping
NEW YORK: Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution sponsored by Bahrain aimed at safeguarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, dealing a blow to international efforts to address rising tensions linked to Iran’s obstruction of the vital waterway.
The draft resolution received 11 votes in favor, with two against — Russia and China — and two abstentions, falling short due to the vetoes by the two permanent members.
The measure had been repeatedly diluted in a bid to secure consensus among council members. An initial proposal would have authorized the use of “all necessary means,” including potential military action, to ensure freedom of navigation.
However, opposition from veto-wielding members, including Russia, China, and France, forced successive revisions. References to offensive force were first removed, then replaced with language permitting only “defensive means,” before being stripped entirely of any authorization for action by the council.
